The political atmosphere in Maharashtra has heated up following recent remarks by Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar, which have been met with strong criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president Chandrashekhar Bawankule. Bawankule accused Pawar of defaming Maharashtra and its people through his statements about potential violence in the state.
On Monday, Bawankule expressed his shock and disapproval of Pawar?s comments made on Sunday, where the NCP leader had warned of possible violence in Maharashtra akin to the unrest in Manipur. Pawar's remarks came in the context of increasing tensions between the Maratha and Other Backward Class (OBC) communities over the reservation issue. He also suggested that the Eknath Shinde government engage with Maratha activist Manoj Jarange-Patil and OBC leaders to address the growing discontent.
Bawankule, who is the state BJP chief, responded sharply: ?There will be violence and caste clashes in Maharashtra. This statement by Sharad Pawar is shocking for a small-time worker like me. He (Pawar) has represented the people of the state for over forty years. I did not expect this from him.? He further criticized Pawar for what he termed as petty politics, alleging that the veteran leader was undermining the state?s reputation for personal gain.
According to Bawankule, Pawar?s comments are out of touch with the sentiments of the people of Maharashtra, who, he asserts, do not support violence or conflict. ?Sharad Pawar is defaming Maharashtra and its people for politics. No one can think of violence in the state? Devendra Fadnavis is capable of controlling any situation. I urge Sharad Pawar to not stoop to this level,? said Bawankule.
Bawankule also accused opposition leaders of attempting to incite unrest based on caste divisions to further their political agendas. He highlighted that during the recent Lok Sabha elections, some opposition figures had sought to create discord between communities. ?The people of Maharashtra are aware that opposition parties, particularly the Congress, are trying to create confusion. In the upcoming assembly election, people will use their votes to give a befitting reply to the opposition bloc,? he added.
